6 High level features

28.5303GPPConcepts, use cases and requirementsManagement and orchestrationRelease 17TS

6.1 General

The present clause describes the high level features of the 5G management system and network slicing.

6.2 Self-Organizing Networks (SON) for 5G networks

In order to reduce the operating expenses associated with the management of increasing number of nodes from more than one vendor the feature of the Self-Organizing Network (SON) was introduced. Automation of some network planning, configuration and optimisation processes via the use of SON functions can help the network operator to reduce operating expenses by reducing manual involvement in such tasks. Based on the location of the SON algorithm, SON is categorized into four different solutions: Cross Domain-Centralized SON, Domain-Centralized SON, Distributed SON and Hybrid SON.

6.3 Management data analytics for 5G networks

The 5G networks have capability to support a variety of communication services, such as IoT and eMBB. The increasing flexibility of the networks to support services with diverse requirements may present operational and management challenges. 5G networks management system can therefore benefit from management data analytics for improving networks performance and efficiency to accommodate and support the diversity of services and requirements. The management data analytics utilize the collection of network data (including e.g. service, slicing and/or network functions related data) to perform analytics in order to assist and complement management services for an optimum network performance and service assurance.

6.4 Closed loop SLS Assurance

Closed loop SLS Assurance relies on a set of management services in a control loop which consists of the steps of Monitoring, Analysis, Decision and Excution to assure the communication service. The adjustment of the resources used for the communication service is completed by the continuous iteration of the steps in the control loop with SLS assurance. Closed loop SLS assurance can be deployed at domain level or cross domain level.

6.5 Energy Efficiency(EE) for 5G networks

Operators are aiming at decreasing power consumption in 5G networks to lower their operational expense with energy saving management solutions. With the foreseen deployment of more NR base stations, e.g., small base stations with massive MIMO in high-band, energy saving becomes even more urgent and challenging. Management of 5G networks contributes to energy saving by reducing energy consumption of 5G networks, while maintaining coverage, capacity and quality of service.

6.6 SBMA supporting manangement of 5G SA and NSA scenarios

The management of 5G SA and NSA could be classified to the following two management options.

Option#A (interface IRP and NRM IRP are used for management of legacy nodes)

Figure 6.6-1: Management Option A for 5G SA and NSA management

NOTE: The consumer behaves as IRPManager in IPR management mechanism of LTE and MnS consumer in service-based management mechanism of 5G.

In option A,

– The legacy nodes (e.g. eNB, ng-eNB and EPC) management domain provides IRP (including interface IRP and NRM IRP) for the management of legacy nodes.

– The 5G nodes (e.g. gNB, en-gNB and 5GC) provides MnS (including MnS component type A, B and C) for the management of 5G nodes.

Option#B (MnS is used for management of legacy nodes)

Figure 6.6-2: Management Option B for 5G SA and NSA management

NOTE: The consumer behaves as IRPManager in IPR management mechanism of LTE and MnS consumer in service-based management mechanism of 5G.

In option B,

– The legacy nodes (e.g. eNB, ng-eNB and EPC) management domain provides MnS (including MnS component type A, B and C) for the management of legacy node. In this case, legacy node NRM used as MnS component type B, which means the YAML/YANG solution set for legacy node NRM needs to be provided.

– The 5G nodes (e.g. gNB, en-gNB and 5GC) provides MnS (including MnS component type A, B and C) for the management of 5G nodes.

Annex A (informative):
SBMA supporting manangement of 5G SA and NSA scenarios